---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.14.4 (SI.L2-3.14.4): Malware Updates"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.14.4 Malware Updates: 5 SPRS points, not allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.4
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.4
records: 7
digest: sha3:08183fa4e0110279db5020006362aea265cf5eeca3aba4f866f0b4dd14b20aad
---

# NIST 800-171 3.14.4 (SI.L2-3.14.4): Malware Updates

NIST 800-171 / System and Information Integrity / 3.14.4

"Update malicious code protection mechanisms when new releases are available." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.14.4](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice SI.L2-3.14.4.

## What 3.14.4 means in practice

Malware protection is only as good as its last update. Signature and engine updates install automatically when they are released, and you can show that every protected system is current.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: SI.L2-3.14.4
- **SPRS points**: 5 points. When it is not met, the DoD Assessment Methodology subtracts 5 from the score of 110.
- **CMMC POA&M**: Not allowed. It is worth 5 points, and 32 CFR 170.21(a)(2)(ii) admits only requirements worth 1 point, with one exception: 3.13.11 when encryption is used but not FIPS validated.

Sources: [NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Methodology, version 1.2.1 (June 24, 2020), Annex A](https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/cyber/docs/safeguarding/NIST-SP-800-171-Assessment-Methodology-Version-1.2.1-6.24.2020.pdf); [32 CFR 170.21, Plan of Action and Milestones requirements](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/section-170.21).

## What an assessor checks for 3.14.4

NIST SP 800-171A gives one determination statement for 3.14.4.

- Determine if malicious code protection mechanisms are updated when new releases are available.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.14.4](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.14.4 is met

- Endpoint protection update settings.
- A report of signature and engine versions across protected systems.
- Alerts or reports for systems that fall behind.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.14.4. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.14.4 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-SI)
- **Sample package**: [Sample package: an SSP, a POA&M and an evidence chain the product generated from demonstration data.](https://policycortex.com/sample-package)
- **Family**: [All 7 System and Information Integrity requirements (3.14).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity)
- **Previous**: [3.14.3: Security Advisories](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.3)
- **Next**: [3.14.5: Malware Scanning](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.5)
- **All requirements**: [All 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements, by family.](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171)

Meet the requirement once. Keep the evidence current. [Request Access](https://app.policycortex.com/auth?mode=request-access) · [Book a call](https://policycortex.com/book)

## Register colophon

| Seq | Label | SHA3-256 | Prev |
|---|---|---|---|
| REC 0000 | REQUIREMENT | 4b79fda88701 | 9d7a7258073e |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 9bf8b8e07ac5 | 4b79fda88701 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 91508dc30c65 | 9bf8b8e07ac5 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | b3b6298b44bd | 91508dc30c65 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 1ac815848b09 | b3b6298b44bd |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 9634414443c6 | 1ac815848b09 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 08183fa4e011 | 9634414443c6 |

Head sha3:08183fa4e0110279db5020006362aea265cf5eeca3aba4f866f0b4dd14b20aad. Each digest is SHA3-256 over the previous digest, the register key, the record label, and the record copy; a second party can recompute it from this document.